Michael Jackson Promoter Sued for Putting Profit Before Safety

Katherine Jackson, pop star Michael Jackson's mother, and his children, are suing concert promoter, AEG Live, for wrongful death per The Daily Mail and Reuters. 

AEG Live is accused of "putting its desire for massive profits" over the health of Jackson as he prepared for a comeback tour that would have included 50 concerts in London. The civil lawsuit is filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The suit accuses AEG Live of failure to provide life-saving equipment, negligence, breach of contract and fraud.  AEG is also being held accountable for the actions of Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, as he was hired by AEG.

The "actions and inactions of AEG" are what allegedly led to the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009.

The attorney for AEG Live, a privately held subsidiary of the Anschutz Entertainment Group, said that finding them responsible for Jackson's death is, "inaccurate, unsubstantiated and meritless."  AEG has also denied hiring Murray for Jackson's medical needs stating, "AEG did not choose him, hire him or supervise him."

Jackson had returned to his Los Angeles home after a day of rehearsals when he died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50. His death, primarily due to the powerful anesthetics administered as sleep aids combined with other sedatives and painkillers, has already been ruled as a homicide by the Los Angeles coroner's office.

Brian Panish, attorney for Katherine Jackson stated, "The purpose of this lawsuit is to prove to the world the truth about what happened to Michael Jackson, once and for all."

Joe Jackson, Michael's father, has a concurrent lawsuit against Dr. Conrad Murray for wrongful death. 

Murray, pleading not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges, is currently awaiting trial in Los Angeles. The family has expressed to media their disappointment in the charges against Murray, feeling that it is woefully not enough to compensate for the loss of Michael.

The "This is it" concert series director, Kenny Ortega, has also been named as a defendant in the lawsuit, the damages of which are not yet specified.

Jackson appeared both drugged and disorientated, per the suit, for several rehearsal days leading up to his death.  On June 24 the pop star was noticeably shivering.  AEG was aware of the situation and did not make any changes to Jackson's "grueling schedule."

Damages for emotional distress are being sought on the behalf on Jackson's oldest son, Prince Michael, as he had witnessed his father's death and "suffered great trauma and emotional distress."

Controversy regarding Jackson's failing health - due to his difficult rehearsal schedule - has been reported by several news's sources since his death.

Michael Jackson fans, after a career slump following his 2005 trial and acquittal for child molestation, have renewed interest in his songs and have started buying up his music in record numbers since his untimely death.

If you feel that a loved one was the victim of a wrongful death, contact a Personal Injury Lawyer from our directory today.